When Is It Ok To Take The Kids Out?

Hi!

My husband and I are fighting over when we think it's safe to take the kids out. He wants to go to his friend's party with the kids on April 21, and they will be just barely a month old. They were born at 34 weeks on March 15 and I am not comfortable taking them anywhere since they were premature. I was thinking at least 2-3 months before it would be ok. Am I just being neurotic? When did you take them out or when did your pedi say it was ok? Thanks for you help!!

 

I don't know if my situation compares because our babies were born at 38 weeks, but mine aren't even two weeks old, and we've been out to the grocery store, and to do a few errands...plus the doctor's a couple times...I guess it just depends on their health and also your comfort level. Ours seem to be really portable and we've noticed a nice NIGHT usually follows the days with outtings! Good luck, and hopefully you'll find a compromise!

 

I don't feel there's an age where it becomes more safe. I think that it's okay to take them out as long as 1) you are comfortable with it and 2) you make sure everyone understands how important handwashing is. That said, I bet you'd have a nice time and it sounds like your dh is a proud new daddy!

 

I would check with your pedi.

Ours were born at 35 weeks 5 days. No NICU time and came home with us. I think that we took them to Target a little less than a week later. They were healthy and I needed to get out of the house!

 

Check with your pedi. Personally, I wouldn't take them to a party, for a walk in the park/mall, sure, but not a party.

 

Since it really is past the main part of RSV reason it owuld depend on how much they weighted. We didn't take the girls out till they were 3 months old because Jessy was so small.

 

Our girls were 36 weeks. I started taking them everywhere at 4 weeks - when my husband went back to work. I do all the shopping and MD appointments - etc - thus when he went back to work I had to take them (he won't watch them because he is "afraid") I made sure no one touched them. I made sure I had a trial size purel for those I did let touch them. They are now almost five months and now have there first real cold (caught it from daycare)

Angel

 

[I was very protective of my little ones...they weren't born all that early, but I hardly took them anywhere the first 2 months..in fact, I only took them to the dr the first 2 months. I couldn't imagine a sick baby at that age, much less 2!!

 

Mine were 35 weekers and we took them out to eat lunch at 2 weeks. I was so tired of seeing the inside of the house as DH "ran errands." He was not happy about the idea. Of course, we had them bundled (even in July) and they stayed in their carseats/stroller the whole time. The only thing showing was their cute little faces.

I don't think I would take them somewhere in which people would want to hold them and pass them around. I still don't like that at almost 9 months old. I'm the protective mom that I used to frown upon.

 

My girls were born at 37 weeks with no NICU time. The docs all said it's best to keep them home/somewhat secluded for at least 6 weeks until their immune systems get stronger..

 

I wouldn't take them to the party. Check with your pedi about when its safe for them to go out, but I would wait until RSV season is totally over (end of April according to the CDC), since they are so young and be super diligent about people not touching them. Also, I would avoid any places with crowds where they could be exposed to a lot of potentially sick children/adults.

Our boys were born at just under 37 weeks and one had RDS and was intubated in the NICU. Our pedi had recommended to us that we keep them in, especially since Nicholas might be more likely to get sick if exposed to anything. It was tough since they were a month old at Christmas. We took them to family member's homes for the holiday, but didn't take them out on a real outing until recently. We've gone out to eat a few times and I've taken each separately to the market with me, and just took them to church for the first time last weekend. Have we been overprotective? Maybe, but in following my pedi's advice, we've avoided these little guys getting sick so far!

I don't think you are being neurotic, esp w/ 34 weekers! Better to be safe than sorry!

 

Mine were born @ 38 weeks and we didn't take them out (except for walks around the neighborhood & Dr. Appointments) until they were more than a month old. I would ask your pediatrician to see what they think.

xox
Mariel

 

Ours were born at 37 weeks and we didn't take them out until they were about a month old -- not so much because we were concerned (although we should have been -- it was November/December), but because we just didn't go anywhere. But I would feel a lot more comfortable taking them for a walk in the stroller or something than to a party. We did take ours to a party at about 8-10 weeks and they were fine, but in retrospect, maybe we shouldn't have.

 

ours were 36 weekers and we took them to the office a week after they were born...we didn't let anyone hold them but we took them in...we've taken them everywhere from the beginning - restaurants, family members homes, mall, etc and they've had one cold in 11 months...

I'm a firm believer in exposure to everything and not keeping them sequestered is what has kept them healthy...fresh air and sunshine are the best! I've also seen that most people that have colds have stayed away from them...

 

My girls were born at 39 weeks and the day we came home from the hospital I took them for a walk and their first trip to Walmart (I had a few things to get). I went through major separation anxiety, so the girls went with me every, and still do. I made sure nobody touched them, I actually got a little rude with some people. I don't think I would take them to a party but some fresh air might be good for the babies and you. I guess when everything is said and done YOU have to comfortable with any decision you make. Good luck on your decision.

 

Mine were born at 32weeks and the NICU nurses and Dr's said not to take them out until April...so we have been home for 7months, we only out to go to Dr's apt. It has only been in the last 3weeks that we have been going on outings. Here in CA there is still RSV, they will be getting another shot at the end of April.

If it were me I obviously would not take them out, until the end of RSV sesaon, so hopefully May.

 

I think you are being wise to not want to take them. My girls were born at 36 weeks, with no time in NICU. Our Pedi wouldn't allow them to go anywhere crowded until they were about 3 months old. Going out for walks in the sunshine was recommended, but not anywhere "enclosed." 34 weeks is pretty small. I'd definitely check with your pedi.

 

My 2 were born @ 32.4 weeks and were in the neonatal unit for 4 weeks. I took them out 1 week after i got them home as i was going nuts sitting in the house! I dont think i would have taken them to a party that early but i would say the mall, walk or supermarket would be fine. x

 

Mine were born at 35 weeks son had no NICU and daughter had 8 days. Our pedi told us not to take them out and around for 3 months. We didn't take them anywhere but the doctor until they were at least 2 1/2 months old and then it was only to my mom's. You don't want to get them sick--it's awful!

 

QUOTE(Her Royal Jennyness @ Apr 3 2007, 05:25 PM) [snapback]204574[/snapback]
Check with your pedi. Personally, I wouldn't take them to a party, for a walk in the park/mall, sure, but not a party.


I agree! We kept our 34 weekers home until the middle of March from everything. RSV season may be close to being over, but if were me I wouldn't take a chance. You never know what someone has.

 

I would NOT take them to a party. Im always very careful with my kids, especially when they are young. For 1, even if my kids were full term I would NEVER take them out before they at least had their first shots and 2, with preemies I wait until at least 2 months from their adjusted age until venturing out. Lots of parents have no problem taking their kids out but there are the few who have children get very sick because they didnt wait until shots or because their babies immune systems were just not mature enough yet